Ramona Walkers Hit the Streets for a Good Cause
By Tiffany Watkins

Ramona resident Debbie DeGarmo is tackling the San Diego 2006 Breast Cancer 3-Day walk with one purpose in mind: To help find a cure for cancer.

Although she is a survivor of breast cancer and has recently recovered from reconstructive surgery, the walk means more to her than just that one aspect of the disease. "For me, the walk isn't just about breast cancer, but cancer period," said DeGarmo. "To find a cure."

San Diego kicks off the 60-mile walk Nov. 10 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The local event is expected to have 35 Ramona walkers who each have raised $2,200 to participate in the event.

DeGarmo, her daughter Ashley Rhodehameo and five other women, will walk under the team name "Ahonui Bosom Buds," a name derived after DeGarmo and her husband vacationed in Hawaii in celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary.

"Ahonui is Hawaiian and means patience expressed through perseverance. And that's exactly what you have to have to battle breast cancer," DeGarmo explained.

Walkers from several Ramona teams pose for a group photo at the end of the Oceanside Pier before walking 18 miles to Solana Beach on a training walk. Photo courtesy of Sharon Garcia

The team walks Mt. Helix and routes in the San Diego Country Estates, where they are building endurance. It's a labor of love for DeGarmo who said she has had to work hard to regain her health following cancer and this event also enables her to do something positive for others. She's been participating in the walk for two years and plans to walk in Boston and San Diego in 2007 with teammate Emily Taylor.

Team work

Walking 60 miles over three days requires a lot of preparation. "People think, 'It's just walking, it's not that tough,' " said first-time walker and member of the Ramona Country Milers Jamey Ritter. "If you don't push your limits and endurance in the weeks and months before the event you're going to be in trouble when the 3-Day starts." "I know I'm going to be sore," Ritter continued, "but blisters happen to the unprepared or unlucky. I owe a lot to my more experienced teammates."

Emily Taylor and Debbie DeGarmo of Team Ahonui at last year's San Diego 3-Day walk.

DeGarmo and Ritter have help along the way from Ramona-based teams. The Country Milers 15-member team is the largest from Ramona. Other colorful team names from the area include the Ramona Beauties, Mustang Mammas and 3-Day Street Walkers. As of press time, the five Ramona teams had raised $83,000 with donations still coming in.

Sharon Garcia, leader of the Country Milers, and her husband have mapped out training routes throughout Ramona, though the most memorable training walk was an 18-mile stretch from Oceanside to Solana Beach, Ritter said. Another training expedition involved 21 walkers who took the train from Solana Beach to Oceanside and walked back to their cars at the Solana Beach station. The trek took about six hours, including a break for lunch and shopping.

The Big Event

On Nov. 10, after opening ceremonies at the Del Mar fairgrounds, walkers will travel south through Torrey Pines, La Jolla, Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, ending at Crown Point Shores for the night. Walkers are required to set up and break down their tents each day. The amenities of "Tent City" include hot meals and showers, entertainment and camaraderie.

On the second day, the walkers will begin on the bay trail and cross over the Pacific and Mission Beach boardwalks. They will also walk through the beach communities of Ocean Beach, Point Loma and Sunset Cliffs.

The third day, the Breast Cancer 3-Day walkers will travel through Old Town, Balboa Park, Mission Hills, Hillcrest, the Gaslamp and Petco Park.

"I've been told this will be a great and emotionally charged experience," said Ritter. "I fully expect to cry a few times, but I won't be alone."